Maeve rewarded for neighbourly love

A CIVIC minded and selfless woman from Ballinteer who has gone out of her way to help others in her community has been rewarded with a Neighbour of the Year award.

Maeve Flaherty was presented with her accolade by RTÃ?’s Ryan Tubridy on Saturday September 15 at the 38th annual People of the Year Awards at the CityWest Hotel.

The awards were organised by Rehab and broadcast live on RTÃ? One television.

Maeve was recognised for her fantastic neighbourly spirit, willingness to turn her home into a place of refuge for people in difficulty, and unwavering support as a friend and neighbour.

Margaret Moran, Maeve’s neighbour of 27 years who nominated her for the award said:

“Everyone in Ballinteer knows Maeve. She lives her life to better the lives of others.

?

Maeve is the epitome of what a good neighbour should be, offering a helping hand to all in trouble, from neighbours caring for a sick relative and children in need of a warm, nurturing home environment to the homeless and those in need of shelter.

Known locally as

“Maeve who helps everyone

?, she mows the grass on the street, plants flowers, cleans up litter and graffiti and supports a club in the area for local youths with whom she has a fantastic rapport.

Her selflessness is perhaps best illustrated in the incredible support that she has provided to Margaret, who is deaf, by caring for her husband who is being treated for cancer.

Margaret said:

“I don’t think myself or my husband would still be here if it wasn’t for her. She is a true living legend.

?

Dr Tony Scott, from Foxrock, and Gill Waters, from Dalkey, were also honoured at the awards.

Dr Scott was recognised with a People of the Year Award for his immense contribution to the field of science in Ireland, through co-founding the Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition.

In 1963, Dr Scott, together with the late Rev Dr Tom Burke, had the idea of setting up a science project competition for secondary school students, modelled on the concept of the US science fairs.

Today known as the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition, and approaching its 50th anniversary, it’s the longest-running event of its kind in Europe and the second longest-running worldwide.

Gill Waters, who works for Today FM, was also honoured for her tireless innovation drive and dynamism in pioneering the Shave or Dye campaign in aid of the Irish Cancer Society and for creating vital public dialogue around cancer and the people affected by it.

In three short years since it began in 2009, the campaign has raised more than e4.6 million for its patient care services, simultaneously creating discussion of the disease with people sharing their stories of struggle and survival on air.